Now that this endlessly procrastinated Tidewatcher project is past the hurdle-point, I thought it might provide a great opportunity to explain the term "Cinematic Style," since I use it repeatedly on my website to describe a specific type of photography. How is "Cinematic style" different than any other form of photography that uses lighting gear and creative camera angles?
Well, to make a long boring story somewhat shorter (but still boring), like many people I have wanted to make feature films ever since I was old enough to go to the movies and stare up at that big, silver screen. And, like many, I discovered soon enough that a home video camera and a handful of friends and neighbors standing under a halogen work-light does not exactly result in Hollywood-grade output. At least it didn't for me. I realized that I could create far better images using still photography. But why not make those images look like they came from a movie? Instead of having the subject sit there, posing and saying "cheese," why not take them out on location and have them 'act the role' of a character? All of the same lighting, props, and camera techniques used to make films could be used as well - just on a smaller, easier to manage medium. Hence my version of "Cinematic Style Photography" was born. Since that time I have discovered the work of photographers such as Gregory Crewdson, and Peter Lindbergh, who are truly masters of this concept on a larger scale, and whose work has convinced me that this is a viable approach to the art.
For me, Cinematic Style is a method of photography that turns a still image into a 'single shot movie.' We, the viewer, don't just see a 'picture of so-and-so', but an image that either tells a story, or allows us to create our own. Most of the time these will be single, stand-alone images. But sometimes, in the case of The Tidewatcher, it will be a series of shots, strung together in a sequence that tells the story. Either way, I hope you enjoy the idea and technique. And stay tuned to C.M. Franke Photography, for more Cinematic Style Photography!
Well, to make a long boring story somewhat shorter (but still boring), like many people I have wanted to make feature films ever since I was old enough to go to the movies and stare up at that big, silver screen. And, like many, I discovered soon enough that a home video camera and a handful of friends and neighbors standing under a halogen work-light does not exactly result in Hollywood-grade output. At least it didn't for me. I realized that I could create far better images using still photography. But why not make those images look like they came from a movie? Instead of having the subject sit there, posing and saying "cheese," why not take them out on location and have them 'act the role' of a character? All of the same lighting, props, and camera techniques used to make films could be used as well - just on a smaller, easier to manage medium. Hence my version of "Cinematic Style Photography" was born. Since that time I have discovered the work of photographers such as Gregory Crewdson, and Peter Lindbergh, who are truly masters of this concept on a larger scale, and whose work has convinced me that this is a viable approach to the art.
For me, Cinematic Style is a method of photography that turns a still image into a 'single shot movie.' We, the viewer, don't just see a 'picture of so-and-so', but an image that either tells a story, or allows us to create our own. Most of the time these will be single, stand-alone images. But sometimes, in the case of The Tidewatcher, it will be a series of shots, strung together in a sequence that tells the story. Either way, I hope you enjoy the idea and technique. And stay tuned to C.M. Franke Photography, for more Cinematic Style Photography!
Comments
Post a Comment
All comments will be moderated. Comments containing profanity, abusive speech, or questionable content will not be published.